Seattle Sounders FC - Conference Semifinal 2http://www.soundersfc.com/topics/conference-semifinal-2
enBack In Seattlehttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2009/11/09/back-seattle
<div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">The Sounders FC arrived home late Sunday night and were greeted by fans singing and chanting.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/2009">2009</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/sigi-schmid">Sigi Schmid</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/freddie-ljungberg">Freddie Ljungberg</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/kasey-keller">Kasey Keller</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/steve-zakuani">Steve Zakuani</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/conference-semifinal-2">Conference Semifinal 2</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/mls-cup-playoffs">MLS Cup Playoffs</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/seattle">Seattle</a></div></div></div>Mon, 09 Nov 2009 14:39:00 +0000Anonymous8666 at http://www.soundersfc.comSeason Ends In Houstonhttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2009/11/08/season-ends-houston
<div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">After a scoreless 90, Brian Ching scored the only goal of the match in overtime to give Houston the 1-0 win and end the inaugural season for the Sounders FC.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/2009">2009</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/conference-semifinal-2">Conference Semifinal 2</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/mls-cup-playoffs">MLS Cup Playoffs</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/houston">Houston</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/away">Away</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/sigi-schmid">Sigi Schmid</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/nate-jaqua">Nate Jaqua</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/freddie-ljungberg">Freddie Ljungberg</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/kasey-keller">Kasey Keller</a></div></div></div>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 17:56:00 +0000Anonymous8668 at http://www.soundersfc.comSounders Fall In Houstonhttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2009/11/08/sounders-fall-houston
<div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><strong>Seattle's inaugural season came to an abrupt end in a 1-0 loss after extra time to the Houston Dynamo.</strong>A season that came with 13 months of build-up and thrilling moments from the opening match came to an abrupt end Sunday when the Sounders FC fell 1-0 in extra time to the Houston Dynamo in the Western Conference semifinals. <br /><br />After a 180-minute battle over the two legs of the series, two of the top defensive teams in the MLS held each other scoreless. Then in the 96th minute Sunday, Brian Ching scored the series-winning goal on a spectacular volley. <br /><br />“It was either going to take a big mistake or a big effort and unfortunately we couldn’t quite make it happen. Not for lack of effort, you can’t fault anybody. They gave everything they had,” said goalkeeper Kasey Keller, who finished with four saves. “We battled and battled and just couldn’t quite make it happen. Maybe another day.” <br /><br />Houston came out on the attack to start the game, getting early opportunities by Dominic Oduro that were turned away. Then in the 12th minute Seattle got their first big chance when Freddie Ljungberg swung a corner kick into the box. Jhon Kennedy Hurtado headed it toward the farpost for Tyrone Marshall, but Marshall’s header went wide left and the score remained tied. <br /><br />Oduro was a thorn in Seattle’s side for the first 80 minutes of the game, getting behind Seattle’s defense on several occasions and taking five shots before being subbed off for Luis Angel Landin. But the defense, anchored by Keller, was still able to keep him off the board. <br /><br />But in the 36th minute it took a great save by Pat Onstad to keep Seattle from taking the lead. Fredy Montero dribbled up the left side, then passed to Steve Zakuani going toward the endline. Zakuani crossed to Nate Jaqua in the box, but Houston defender Geoff Cameron nearly knocked it into his own net. Onstad was able to get his foot on it though, and knocked it clear. <br /><br />“It’s disappointing. We had a few good opportunities we weren’t able to stick in the back of the net, but it was a battle and there wasn’t a lot that opened up on either side,” Jaqua said. <br /><br />Later in the 81st minute, second half sub Roger Levesque flipped the ball to Jaqua charging down the box, but he was defended by Cameron and his shot went wide of the net. <br /><br />The game remained scoreless into the 90th minute and went to extra time. There Ching, who played for the Sounders in the A-League in 2001 and 2002, was the difference-maker. <br /><br />Houston defender Mike Chabala took the ball up the left side and crossed it into the box for Brian Mullan at the far post. Roger Levesque was there to defend him, but Mullan was able to deflect the ball to Ching for a right-footed, sidewinding volley into the net for a 1-0 lead in the 96th minute. <br /><br />“They put a good ball into the box. We don’t quite clear it well and the ball bounces tremendous for Brian, but that’s an unbelievable finish for Brian Ching. He won’t score a better goal at a better time,” Keller said. “We battled away, but unfortunately just couldn’t get the goals that we needed.” <br /><br />That score held up and the Sounders frustrations mounted in the 120th minute when James Riley was ejected from the game for a hard tackle in the midfield. <br /><br />Not long after the foul and ensuing melee, the final whistle was blown on the Sounders season. <br /><br />“We couldn’t find a way to win today and that’s the disappointing part,” Jaqua said. “But that’s the way it is. You’re not going to win every game and you’re not going to make it through every time.” <br /><br />All told, it was a successful opening campaign for the expansion Sounders FC. <br /><br />“To have won the Open Cup and have a winning record in the season and come two points away from winning the Supporters Shield and to have lost to a team that has been a dominant team in the playoffs is a pretty proud moment for a young expansion team,” head coach Sigi Schmid said. “But we don’t want to accept mediocrity. Our goal is always to win a championship and maybe the sting of today will help us to move forward into next year.” <br /></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/2009">2009</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/sigi-schmid">Sigi Schmid</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/freddie-ljungberg">Freddie Ljungberg</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/fredy-montero">Fredy Montero</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/james-riley">James Riley</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/jhon-hurtado">Jhon Hurtado</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/kasey-keller">Kasey Keller</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/leonardo-gonzalez">Leonardo Gonzalez</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/nate-jaqua">Nate Jaqua</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/osvaldo-alonso">Osvaldo Alonso</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/roger-levesque">Roger Levesque</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/sanna-nyassi">Sanna Nyassi</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/brad-evans">Brad Evans</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/sebastien-le-toux">Sebastien Le Toux</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/steve-zakuani">Steve Zakuani</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/tyrone-marshall">Tyrone Marshall</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/conference-semifinal-2">Conference Semifinal 2</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/mls-cup-playoffs">MLS Cup Playoffs</a></div></div></div>Sun, 08 Nov 2009 16:57:00 +0000Anonymous566 at http://www.soundersfc.comECS Rally in Houstonhttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2009/11/07/ecs-rally-houston
<div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">The Emerald City Supporters hosted a prematch party on Saturday in Houston, Texas prior to Sunday's Western Conference Semifinal meeting between the Sounders FC and the Dynamos.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/2009">2009</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/emerald-city-supporters">Emerald City Supporters</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/conference-semifinal-2">Conference Semifinal 2</a></div></div></div>Sat, 07 Nov 2009 22:03:00 +0000Anonymous8669 at http://www.soundersfc.comDynamo Previewhttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2009/11/06/dynamo-preview
<div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Sounders FC Insider Matt Gaschk breaks down the second leg of the western conference semifinal against the Houston Dynamo.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/2009">2009</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/sigi-schmid">Sigi Schmid</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/freddie-ljungberg">Freddie Ljungberg</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/nate-jaqua">Nate Jaqua</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/fredy-montero">Fredy Montero</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/kasey-keller">Kasey Keller</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/conference-semifinal-2">Conference Semifinal 2</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/houston">Houston</a></div></div></div>Fri, 06 Nov 2009 13:48:00 +0000Anonymous8670 at http://www.soundersfc.comBudding rivalshttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2009/11/04/budding-rivals
<div class="field field-name-field-post-primary-image field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><article class="node-567 node node-image view-mode-full clearfix">
<h3>Image Default Style(620x350)</h3><div class="field field-name-field-image-image field-type-image field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_default/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=hDE38Ti0" /></div></div></div><h3>Cropped Thumbnail (168x95)</h3><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_thumbnail/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=0aNQtSpH" width="168" height="95" alt="" /><h3>Cropped Landscape (1065x460)</h3><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_landscape/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=sI313BT7" alt="" /><h3>Full Landscape (1280x380)</h3><img src="http://www.soundersfc.com/s3/files/styles/full_landscape/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=VlFIaJYB" alt="" /><h3>Additional Image Style Previews</h3>Thumbnail (100x100)<br/><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/thumbnail/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=5iUhRj7N" alt="" /><br/>Medium (220x220)<br/><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/medium/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=CulvEPkP" alt="" /><br/>Large (480x480)<br/><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/large/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=Pqhl74uN" alt="" /><br/>image_300x100<br/><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_300x100/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=jSznYTOy" width="300" height="100" alt="" /><br/>image_300x168<br/><img src="http://www.soundersfc.com/s3/files/styles/image_300x168/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=bqRG24-s" alt="" /><br/>image_author_headshot<br/><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_author_headshot/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=UBFJFOPL" alt="" /><br/>image_default<br/><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_default/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=hDE38Ti0" alt="" /><br/>image_full_layout<br/><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_full_layout/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=zigWG5MM" alt="" /><br/>image_gallery_thumbnail<br/><img src="http://www.soundersfc.com/s3/files/styles/image_gallery_thumbnail/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=qpLtqnL8" width="168" height="95" alt="" /><br/>image_player_headshot<br/><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_player_headshot/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=MRpaaiBX" width="140" height="200" alt="" /><br/>image_player_headshot_small<br/><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_player_headshot_small/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=Mzv458uS" width="88" height="125" alt="" /><br/>Image Small Thumbnail (50x50)<br/><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_small_thumbnail/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=OkamVVqN" alt="" /><br/>mobile_full<br/><img src="http://www.soundersfc.com/s3/files/styles/mobile_full/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=CzP--91F" alt="" /><br/>mobile_landscape<br/><img src="http://www.soundersfc.com/s3/files/styles/mobile_landscape/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=QahiAbSm" alt="" /><br/>gallery_default<br/><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/gallery_default/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=ZrgIOHFI" alt="" /><br/>image_square<br/><img src="http://seattle-mp7static.mlsdigital.net/styles/image_square/s3/images/64be0ea48af043da928e048252c00947.jpeg?itok=sZOkm3Wx" alt="" /><br/></article><!-- /.node -->
</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><strong>Having already played four times in their inaugural season, Seattle has become fast foes with Houston.</strong>
<p>“When you play somebody five times in a year, you get to know them a little bit,” Sounders FC head coach Sigi Schmid laughed at training Tuesday.</p>
<p>After four meetings already this season the Sounders and Houston Dynamo will square off for the fifth and final time in the most meaningful matchups of them all in a do-or-die second leg of their Western Conference Semifinal series. The two budding rivals drew 0-0 in front of 35,807 at Qwest Field last Thursday, so it will be a 90-minute, last-man-standing battle at Robertson Stadium Sunday at noon (KING 5 TV, KTTH 770AM).</p>
<p>“The more you play against somebody, the little things get leftover from one game to another,” Schmid said. “All of those things collect in your memory bank and that’s what creates a rivalry.”</p>
<p>Seattle won two of the four meetings this year, drawing the other two. But this has been anything but a one-sided affair, as each game has been a physical, competitive encounter. And as familiar as the two clubs have been this season, the connections between the two extend much further.</p>
<p>Dynamo players Craig Waibel (1999-200), Brian Ching (2001-2002) and Cam Weaver (2006) and head coach Dominic Kinnear (1995) all adorned A-League/USL Sounders uniforms in their careers. Additionally, UW product Mike Chabala and Gig Harbor native Tally Hall wear the orange Dynamo kits.</p>
<p>The two teams have several parallels, too.</p>
<p>As an expansion club, Seattle has had unprecedented success. But just four years ago when the San Jose Earthquakes relocated to Houston, the club was an instant success, winning championships in their first two seasons in Texas. That led to high expectations from the fans, players and management, much like in Seattle.</p>
<p>“Houston’s fans have high expectations, our fans have high expectations and I think that comes from ownership and management as well. That’s a cultural and philosophical issue and one that we take very seriously and talk about every way,” Seattle owner/GM Adrian Hanauer said.</p>
<p>Added Schmid, “As I said before, they have been and are still the preeminent team in the Western Conference and we’re the new kids trying to stake our claim. That’s what makes it a good rivalry too.”</p>
<p>That competitive nature was prevalent in the first leg of the series, when the two teams earned a combined six yellow cards in a 0-0 draw. </p>
<p>“The first game’s always a bit cagey because you don’t want to put yourself in a hole at halftime,” Sounders FC goalkeeper Kasey Keller said. “Sure, we would have loved to have had a lead, but we’re very confident in the way we’ve been playing away from home. I feel great. I think the team’s well rested looking good and we’ll be ready to go.”</p>
<p>While Houston certainly counts among the Sounders most touted oppositions, they are by no means the only team that fits that mold.</p>
<p>“Frankly it feels like every week we go out we’re playing a rival. Given our crowd and our stadium and the atmosphere, teams come into Seattle turning it into a rivalry. There have been some chippier, more emotional games than you get out of an expansion franchise,” Hanauer said. “DC turned into a rivalry. Both LA teams turned into rivals and Houston turned into a rivalry. But you have to put the four games behind you and make it a one-game series.”</p>
<p>Houston plays a similar style with the Sounders, attacking in creative ways from all parts of the field, all while maintaining a stingy defense. Houston and Seattle both allowed a league-best 29 goals this season and ranked first and third, respectively, in goal differential. But in the first leg, the Dynamo went on the defensive to preserve a draw to keep home-field advantage.</p>
<p>“I think they are a very good team. I like the way they play and they try to play some good soccer for the fans and enjoyable to watch,” Sounders FC midfielder Freddie Ljungberg said. “Unfortunately the last game was a bit different because the rules are different and they didn’t have to go forward and a tie was good enough. So I felt a little bit sad for the fans in the stadium. It was probably a little bit of a stalemate game and not the most fun to watch. It will probably be more open down there and we have played well against them before.”</p>
<p>In that regard, the draw was not a bad result for Seattle, as they have shown an ability throughout the season to be at their best in wide open games.</p>
<p>“We don’t feel that it was a negative result,” Keller said. “Now we feel confident that we don’t have a hole to climb out of so we can just go there and play and get the victory.”</p>
<p>Undoubtedly, the game’s importance won’t get lost on the Houston crowd, which has quickly rounded up tickets for the Sunday game. </p>
<p>“I heard it’s sold out, so it’s going to be a great atmosphere,” said Keller. “We are looking forward to going and disappointing a lot of people in Houston.”</p>
<p>Let the rivalry commence.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/2009">2009</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/2009-game-17-vs-houston-dynamo">2009 Game 17 vs Houston Dynamo</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/2009-game-23-vs-houston-dynamo">2009 Game 23 vs Houston Dynamo</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/conference-semifinal-1">Conference Semifinal 1</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/conference-semifinal-2">Conference Semifinal 2</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/2009-us-open-cup-vs-houston-dynamo">2009 US Open Cup vs Houston Dynamo</a></div></div></div>Wed, 04 Nov 2009 08:00:00 +0000Anonymous568 at http://www.soundersfc.comNarrow Pitchhttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2009/11/03/narrow-pitch
<div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">Heading to Houston for the second leg of the Western Conference Semifinal Series means playing at Robertson Stadium, also home of the University of Houston Cougars football team and a more narrow soccer pitch.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/2009">2009</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/sigi-schmid">Sigi Schmid</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/brad-evans">Brad Evans</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/freddie-ljungberg">Freddie Ljungberg</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/kasey-keller">Kasey Keller</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/steve-zakuani">Steve Zakuani</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/conference-semifinal-1">Conference Semifinal 1</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/conference-semifinal-2">Conference Semifinal 2</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/mls-cup-playoffs">MLS Cup Playoffs</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/houston">Houston</a></div></div></div>Tue, 03 Nov 2009 16:38:00 +0000Anonymous8672 at http://www.soundersfc.comBack for Round 2http://www.soundersfc.com/post/2009/11/02/back-round-2
<div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even">The Sounders FC returned to action for the first time since their scoreless draw against Houston on Thursday and were updated on Tyrone Marshall's status.</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/2009">2009</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/sigi-schmid">Sigi Schmid</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/nate-jaqua">Nate Jaqua</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/tyrone-marshall">Tyrone Marshall</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/conference-semifinal-1">Conference Semifinal 1</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/conference-semifinal-2">Conference Semifinal 2</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/tukwila">Tukwila</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/starfire-sports-complex">Starfire Sports Complex</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/practice">Practice</a></div></div></div>Mon, 02 Nov 2009 18:30:00 +0000Anonymous8673 at http://www.soundersfc.comSounders FC to face Houston in MLS West Semifinalshttp://www.soundersfc.com/post/2009/10/25/sounders-fc-face-houston-mls-west-semifinals
<div class="field field-name-field-post-primary-image field-type-node-reference field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><article class="node-3754 node node-image view-mode-full clearfix">
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</div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><strong>Seattle Hosts Dynamo on Thursday, Visits Houston on November 8.</strong>
<p>RENTON, WASH. – The Seattle Sounders FC will face the Houston Dynamo in the MLS Cup Playoff Western Conference Semifinals, beginning on Thursday night, October 29, on Xbox Pitch at Qwest Field. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m PT. The match will be televised by ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes.</p>
<p>The second leg will be played on Sunday, November 8, at Houston’s Robertson Stadium. The time is to be determined.</p>
<p>Tickets for Thursday’s game are available at www.SoundersFC.com. Due to the overwhelming initial response, the Sounders FC opened an additional 3,000 loge seats in the Qwest Field upper level. The initial offering sold-out in 30 minutes last Saturday morning.</p>
<p>The Dynamo earned the No. 2 seed in the West by beating Chivas USA, 3-2, on the road on Sunday. The Sounders FC is the No. 3 seed.</p>
<p>The Sounders FC faced Houston twice during the regular season. Seattle defeated the Dynamo, 2-1, at home on July 11, and earned a 1-1 draw at Houston on August 23. The Sounders FC also eliminated Houston from the U.S. Open Cup in the semifinal round, winning, 2-1, in extra time on July 21 at the Starfire Sports Complex in Tukwila, Washington.</p>
<p>The Los Angeles Galaxy and Chivas USA meet in the other West Semifinal series. The Galaxy won the West Conference and the No. 1 seed by virtue of a tiebreaker over Houston.</p>
<p>Conference Semifinal series are conducted in a home-and-home, aggregate-goal format. The lower seeded team hosts the first game. The team that scores the most goals in the home-and-home series advances to the single-elimination Conference Championship. If the teams are tied after 180 minutes in the Conference Semifinal series, a 30-minute extra time period (divided into two 15-minute periods) will be played, followed by kicks from the penalty spot, if necessary.</p>
<p>The winners of the four series advance to a single-game Conference Championships that will determine the MLS Cup Finalists. The team with the higher seed between the two finalists will host the game, between November 12 and November 15. MLS Cup 2009 will be played at Seattle’s Qwest Field on November 22 at 5:30 p.m. PT.</p>
<p>Seattle is the first expansion team in 11 years and the third overall to qualify for the MLS Cup Playoffs. Chicago and Miami each qualified in 1998, with the Fire going on to win the championship.</p>
<p>Houston is a two-time MLS Cup champion, winning back-to-back titles in 2006 and 2007.</p>
<p>The Columbus Crew is the defending MLS Cup Champion. The Crew will meet Real Salt Lake and the Chicago Fire faces the New England Revolution in the East Semifinal.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/conference-semifinal-1">Conference Semifinal 1</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/conference-semifinal-2">Conference Semifinal 2</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/houston">Houston</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/seattle">Seattle</a></div><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/qwest-field">Qwest Field</a></div></div></div>Sun, 25 Oct 2009 22:00:00 +0000Anonymous3755 at http://www.soundersfc.comSounders FC fans snatch up playoff tickets http://www.soundersfc.com/post/2009/10/24/sounders-fc-fans-snatch-playoff-tickets
<div class="field field-name-field-post-body field-type-text-long field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><strong>Team to open 3000 loge seats in upper level.</strong>
<p>
<strong>RENTON, Wash.</strong> – Sounders FC playoff tickets were sold-out in 30 minutes this morning. Due to the overwhelming response, the team will open 3000 loge seats in the upper level.</p>
<p>To purchase tickets visit <a href="http://www.soundersfc.com/">www.soundersfc.com</a> or 800.745.3000.</p>
<p>Check-out <a href="http://www.soundersfc.com/">www.soundersfc.com</a> for the most up-to-date playoff match information and activities.</p></div></div></div><div class="field field-name-field-post-topics field-type-taxonomy-term-reference field-label-above"><div class="field-label">Topics:&nbsp;</div><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even"><a href="/topics/conference-semifinal-1">Conference Semifinal 1</a></div><div class="field-item odd"><a href="/topics/conference-semifinal-2">Conference Semifinal 2</a></div></div></div>Sat, 24 Oct 2009 00:00:00 +0000Anonymous3759 at http://www.soundersfc.com